Davis Love III has been appointed United States captain for the 2012 Ryder Cup at Medinah.
Love was one of Corey Pavin's four vice-captains at Celtic Manor in October and was widely tipped to succeed Pavin for the 2012 event at Medinah Country Club near Chicago.
A veteran of six Ryder Cups, Love had made no secret of his desire to captain the US team and his wish was finally granted by the PGA of America on Thursday.
"It is a long, long away but we have been talking about this for a long time," said Love.
"Robin (his wife) and I, we are thrilled to have this opportunity, we are excited to be a part of the Ryder Cup once again. It's a great honour in golf.
"To make one Ryder Cup team would make your career. To make a few of them is a blessing. And to get to be an assistant captain was one of the highlights of my career, to be a part of the team from the inside and watch the players play.
"It is going to be an even bigger thrill for us to lead a team, to watch our team, the United States team, try to win the Ryder Cup back here in Medinah."
Love made his Ryder Cup debut at The Belfry in 1993 when he and Tom Kite beat Seve Ballesteros and Jose Maria Olazabal 2&1 in the opening foursomes.
He represented his country in 1995, 1997, 1999, 2002 and 2004, winning 11.5 points in 26 matches in the biennial tournament.
Following Europe's narrow success at Celtic Manor, Love has been handed the task of trying to regain the Samuel Ryder trophy and he is determined to have his team fired up for the first days play.
"My main mission is to get the players prepared for Friday morning," he told a press conference at Medinah.
"What we have been missing is getting over the nerves of being ready to play on the biggest stage.
"We've just tried too hard and I'll be trying to get the players as relaxed and freed up as I can.
"I am a players' captain and I'm going to get them what they need to be successful.
"I'm not going to tell the best players in the world how to play golf. I'm going to let them show their talents."